Thank You ...

We are pleased that you have selected one of our fine quality Fender Guitars. This instrument combines the highest quality components with the finest American workmanship and is warranted to give you complete satisfaction.

The Eric Clopton Signature Model Guitars contain many features and new improvements developed by Fender engineers. As a result,you are assured of receiving an instrument of superior quality, lasting beauty and exceptional playability.

We urge you to take the time to read this manual andfamiliarize yourself with the many new features and capabilities of this instrument.

Adjustable 3 Fender-Lace Golden Strat Sensors
Pickups
Nut Cyclovac
Keys Vintage
Active 25 dB midrange boost circuit
Electronics
Switches 5-position pickup selector switch
Controls Master Volume
MasterTBX
Master Midrange Boost
Tremolo Vintage (Hard-Tailed with a
removable block)
Scale 25.5"
Length (647.7mm)
Fretboard Maple
Radius 9.5"
(241.3mm)
Frets 22, vintage
Output Body/Top
Jack 2

VOLUME CONTROL

The volume control acts as a standard volume controlbut the level at maximum setting is about + 11dB.

MASTER MIDRANGE BOOST CONTROL

The Midrange Boost Control allows you to increase the midrange response of the guitar. By turning the knob clockwise, you grad ually boost the midrange and bass frequencies as you decrease the treble frequencies. So you can actually shape the sound of the pickups.

Caution: At maximum setting, the volume increase is approximately 25 dB in the low-mid range, so the output of your guitar could be more powerful than that of a standard guitar by as much as a factor of 17.

TBXCONTROL

The Clapton Signature Model guitar has a unique tone circuit that features Fender's TBX Tone Control (Patent Pending).

The TBX Control provides both the conventional Fender sound and unique new sounds. Rotating the knob counterclockwise from the detent position

grad ually filters off high frequencies, moving the sound from bright to more mellow to provide all the Fender tonal characteristics previously available.

Until now this has been the primary method of making tonal adjustments on electric guitars, but with the

TBX Control, you also now have the option of adding prescence and brightness by actually shifting the

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frequency response of the pickup. This is done by advancing the knob clockwise from the detent position. With this added capability, the TBX provides a whole new range of sounds not previously available.

PICKUP SELECfOR SWITCH

The 5-position pickup selector switch does just what it implies-it selects the pickups either alone or in combination.

BA 1TERY REPLACEMENT

The electronic circuit is run by a standard 9-volt transistor battery. To replace the battery, simply remove the back plate (attached with Phillips head screws).

Note: The battery is being drained only when there is a cord plugged into the input jack. To get the longest use out of any battery, make sure that you always unplug the guitar when it is not being played.

To check the battery: Turn the Mid Boost Control all the way down. Put the Volume Control on about 5 or 6, and adjust your amplifier for a clean sound. If the guitar sounds distorted, it probably means that the battery is weak and needs to be changed.

VINTAGE TREMOLO

The Clapton model is equipped with a vintage style Tremolo Unit. This is a floating, fulcrum style tremolo, which utilizes six screws as pivot posts. The

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bridge saddles are made from stamped steel that has been case-hardened and heavily chromed for superior wearability. They are weight balanced to provide optimum sound transfer. These, coupled with the thick bass plate and steel spring block, help to deliver increased sustain and an extremely well balanced tonal response throughout the instrument's frequency range.

Note: The bridge is blocked (hard-tailed), which renders it inoperable. To use the tremolo, remove the wooden block inserted between the body cavity and the spring block.

The saddles are individually adjustable for both string height and intonation. (These adjustments are described in detail on pages 7 and 11, respectively). The bridge is adjustable for tremolo travel by adjusting the spring to string balance (as described on page 8).

The tremolo arm is installed by carefully threading it into the hole adjacent to the first string.

Do not over tighten, as you may snap the arm off in the block. Once the tremolo arm has been installed, it should not be removed, because there is a spring in the receptacle hole that could fallout and be lost. To store the instrument in its case, simply swing the tremolo arm towards the comer of the case where the output jack is located.

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TRUSS ROD, ACTION, AND INTONATION ADJUSTMENTS

Because of travel effects, changes in string gauges,

climatic conditions, and differences in playing styles, j:

you might have need to adjust your Fender guitar.If it ..

becomes necessary, the following procedure outlines

the standards set at the factory.

To make these adjustments, you will need a few simple tools:

1- .050" Allen Wrench (supplied) 1 - .125" Allen Wrench (supplied) I-Capo

1 - Feeler Guage

1 - 6" (15.2 em) Mechanic's ruler (with 1/64" increments)

1 - Phillips head screwdriver

1. Tuning

Tune the instrument to standard pitch.

2. Adjust Neck Curvature (Truss Rod)

Each Fender guitar is carefully adjusted at the factory. The truss rod and string height are set for optimum action and playability with light gauge strings (.009 to .042).

Under normal tension, the neck should have a slight concave curvature. By creating a counteracting force, the truss rod prevents the neck from bending excessively under the stress placed on it by the strings.

The unique Bi-Flex Truss Rod allows adjustment

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of the neck in two directions--convex and concave. To check the truss rod setting, tune the guitar to playing pitch. Install a capo at the first fret, and depress the 6th string at the fret where the neck joins the body. Using a feeler gauge, check the gap between the bottom of the 6th string and the top of the 8th fret. The recommended string clearance is approximately .010" .

If an adjustment is necessary, insert the wrench (supplied) into the truss rod adjustment hold. Rotate it gently until you feel it engage in the hex socket. If the neck is too concave, turn the wrench clockwise.

If it is too straight or convex, turn the wrench counterclockwise while periodically checking the gap with the feeler gauge. Continually re-check tuning for standard pitch.

Caution: IX) NOT continue adjusting: 1) If extreme resistance is felt while adjusting in either direction, or 2) If the neck has a convex bow that remains when the truss rod nut is loosened. Take the instrument to the nearest authorized Fender dealer or service center for inspection.

Note: The nut should not be left loose, but should have at least a quarter turn.

3. Set Bridge Height

The recommended string clearance at the 17th fret (measured by the distance between the bottom of the string and the top of the fret) is:

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Strings 1-4:

Strings 5-6:

5/64" (2mm) + 1/64" (.4mm) 3/32" (2.4mm) + 1/64" (.4mm)

The above dimensions are the factory recommended settings only. The optimum height adjustment varies from player to player due to differences in technique, p laying styles, string gauges, etc. The instrument should be adjusted so that it provides you the ultimate in playing content.

Each saddle is individually adjusted by using the two allen socket screws located on the top of the saddle. Clockwise raises and counterclockwise lowers. Be sure both height adjustment screws of each bridge saddle rest firmly against the bridge plate. Also be sure each saddle is parallel to the bridge plate after adjustment.

4. Adjusting Spring Tension (Bridge/String Balance) The vintage style tremolo utilizes a spring adjustment system-two Phillips head wood screws drawing a claw back and forth with one end of the springs (3 to 5) attached while the other end is attached to the bridge sustain block. First, remove the six screws that hold the back tremolo plate in position and remove the plate. The tremolo arm should be depressed so as to raise the back of the bridge. Place the 5/32" (4mm) spacer block between the bridge and the body. Allow the bridge to return back to the body, trapping the block. Tune the guitar up to pitch. If the bridge raises and fails to trap the block, tighten the two claw screws clockwise until the spring pressure will trap the block

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with the strings all tuned to pitch. Stretch all

strings out completely (sometimes it helps to hold the bridge down with one hand while stretching the strings with the other). Now remove the spacer block by depressing the tremolo arm. The pitch of the strings should now be raised. Using your tuning source (preferably an electronic tuner) and a Phillips tip screwdriver, turn the screws which adjust the claw, counterclockwise, until the strings return to pitch. This should raise your bridge and return the bridge to the proper balance point.

S. Set Pickup Height (Fender-Lace Sensors)

The Golden Strat Sensors (Pat. Pending) on the Clapton Signature models are fully adjustable for height. Ad justments are made by turning the Sensor

Ad justment Screws located at each end of the sensors.

Depress all strings at the highest fret. Check the distance from the bottom of the 1st and 6th strings to the top of the Sensor. The measurements (set at the factory) should be as follows:

1st string: 6th string:

1/16" (1.6mm) 3/32" (2.4 mm)

However, because of the low magnetic pull on the strings, best results are often obtained by setting the Sensor closer to the strings.

Sensors mounted on the pickguard are adjusted in the following manner: to raise the pickup, turn the adjustment screws clockwise; to lower it turn the

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screws counterclockwise. The recommended string clearance is measured between the pickup at the 1st and 6th strings when fretted at the last fret on the fmgerboard.

Note: Contrary to conventional polepiece pickups, the strings set close to the Golden Strat Sensor produces increased dynamic range, balanced frequency response and optimum fast, easy action due to the magnetic pull on the strings. This also improves the tremolo function as well, since there is no interruption of the normal orbital vibration of the string. The

string is "heard" as long as it continues to vibrate.

6. Check for Fret Rattles

With the instrument plugged into your amplifier and the pickup selector switch set to the neck pickup position, pick in the area between the neck and bridge pickups. Play each fret position, holding the pick parallel to the plane of the body, to determine that the strings do not buzz or rattle against successively higher frets.

Bend the first and second strings up one whole tone in pitch at the 12th, 15th and 17th frets. The notes should ring true, without choking off.

Due to differences in playing styles and picking techniques, action settings that produce no string rattle for one player may rattle when another player plays the instrument. If you have followed all the adjustment procedures listed and set the string action but are still experiencing fret rattle, you may require a

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slightly higher than normal setting to accommodate your style of playing. If you still experience difficulties, take the guitar to an authorized Fender dealer or service center.

7. Intonation

For optimum results, these adjustments should be made when the strings are in new condition. Tune the guitar. With the pickup selector switch set to the neck pickup position and the tone and volume controls at the maximum settings, check the intonation of each string with an electronic tuner by playing the open string harmonic at the 12th fret and comparing this note with the note produced by fretting the string at the 12th fret. The pitch should be the same (+) or (-)

1 cent (1/100 of a semitone). If the fretted note is sharp, the string must be lengthened by moving the saddle back; if the fretted note is flat, the string must be shortened by moving the saddle forward. After each adjustment, retune and repeat this test until both notes produce the same pitch.

Ad just the slot screw at the end of the bridge clockwise to lengthen the string and counterclockwise to shorten, depending on whether the string is sharp or flat in relation to the open 12th fret harmonic. Retune and retest after each adjustment.

CARE OF YOUR GUITAR

Your new Fender guitar is precision-made to give you many years of satisfaction. A few simple maintenance procedures will help you keep your instrument

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playing like new. After you have finished playing, thoroughly wipe the entire guitar, including the strings, with a clean, soft cloth. Regular cleaning with Fender Polish is recommended.

A void exposing the guitar to any chemical or substance that might mar the finish, or to direct sunlight or other sources of excessive heat, humidity or shock.

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.~~~-- ... - .. ~~ ---------~------~...-.-.-

Caution: It is important to avoid sudden changes in temperature, since this causes the wood to expand at

a different rate than the finish, which may result in checking. While this condition does not affect the tone, it does mar the appearance.

Let the instrument warm up in its own case. Then open the case slowly, allowing warm air to enter gradually. After the instrument is removed, leave the case open so it too can warm up thoroughly.

String tension should be reduced during shipping to avoid possible damage.

Dirty, corroded or worn strings cause loss of sustain, loss of treble frequencies, and faulty intonation. Fresh strings add to the enjoyment and tonal qualities of your guitar. Change them often, using Fender strings. All Eric Clapton Signature Model guitars are set up at the factory with Fender 3250L Super Bullets=Nickelplated Steel Roundwound strings.

If your guitar needs repair work, refer all such work to your Authorized Fender Dealer whose trained personnel and complete service facilities will assure your satisfaction.

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